Window Replacement Cost: Per Window and Whole House
Homeowners paid an average of $517 per installed window and $7,183 per project in a 2026 This Old House survey. HomeGuide reports $450 to $1,500 per single-hung window, and Bob Vila cites $180 to $409, so the source you read changes the answer.
What window replacement costs
Window replacement cost depends heavily on whose numbers you read. This Old House surveyed 1,000 customers in 2026 and found an average of $517 per installed window and $7,183 per project. HomeGuide reports $450 to $1,500 per single-hung window installed, with a national average of $900. Bob Vila, citing Angi data, gives a lower range of $180 to $409 with an average of $280 per window.
The gap is real. Survey averages include many small, basic units, while contractor price guides reflect full-frame installs and mid-range products. Plan on the wide range, then narrow it with quotes for your exact windows.
Cost by frame material
| Frame material | HomeGuide, installed per window | This Old House survey average |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | $175 – $1,000 | $453 |
| Vinyl | $200 – $1,500 | not broken out |
| Fiberglass | $400 – $2,000 | $564 |
| Composite | $400 – $2,300 | not broken out |
| Wood | $800 – $3,800 | not broken out |
Aluminum is cheapest but insulates poorly. Vinyl is the value pick for most homes, and wood costs the most and needs the most upkeep.
Cost by window type and glass
| Window type | Installed cost per window |
|---|---|
| Picture | $300 – $1,300 |
| Single-hung | $300 – $2,100 |
| Double-hung | $350 – $2,500 |
| Sliding | $300 – $2,300 |
| Casement | $400 – $3,000 |
| Bay | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Bow | $3,000 – $8,000+ |
| Egress | $3,000 – $7,000 |
Glass matters too. In the This Old House survey, single-pane units averaged $400, double-pane $529 and triple-pane $609. The jump from double to triple is small compared with the energy savings in cold climates, so ask for both prices.
What a whole house costs
- 10 single-hung windows: $4,500 to $15,000 installed, according to HomeGuide.
- 15 windows: $6,750 to $22,500.
- 25 windows: $11,250 to $37,500, with larger or custom sizes and wood frames at the top end.
- Average project: $7,183 in the This Old House survey.
Second-story installs, custom sizes, lead paint precautions and damaged framing all add cost. If water has been getting in around the old frames, check the exterior too, since siding repair often gets bundled with a window project.
Cost by number of panes
Glass choice changes the price of the same frame. HomeGuide puts double-pane windows at $400 to $2,000 installed and triple-pane at $450 to $3,000. Bob Vila gives wider replacement ranges of $100 to $350 for a single pane, $280 to $1,500 for double and $300 to $2,700 for triple. Double-pane is the standard for replacement work, and triple-pane mainly pays off in cold climates.
Cost by room and location
Bob Vila lists typical installed prices by location: $300 to $1,000 for a bedroom, dining room or bathroom window, $300 to $1,500 for a kitchen window, and $200 to $5,000 for a basement window. Small basement windows that only admit light are cheap, while egress windows need excavation and a larger opening. Upper-floor installs add time and equipment, so expect a higher price per window above the first story.
Does brand matter?
Yes, mostly at the top end. Bob Vila lists unit-only prices of $100 to $1,500 for Alside, $100 to $1,200 for Feldco, $100 to $3,000 for Pella, $215 to $3,000 for Andersen and $215 to $4,000 for Marvin. Compare the same frame material, glass package and size across brands, not brand names alone.
Unit price versus installed price
HomeGuide reports $250 to $1,400 or more for the window unit alone, and says installed prices vary depending on whether a handyman or an experienced window installer does the work. A lower bid that skips trim, caulking or flashing can cost more later through leaks and drafts.
Signs it is time to replace
- Drafts or leaks: air or water getting in around the frame.
- Condensation between panes: usually a failed seal.
- Hard to operate: sashes that stick, will not lock or will not stay open.
- Visible damage: rotting wood, warped frames or cracked glass.
If only the glass is damaged, replacing the pane or sash is often cheaper than a whole window. Storm windows are another budget option at $150 to $400 each installed, according to HomeGuide, though they add insulation rather than replacing worn-out windows.
Is your quote reasonable?
Divide the quote by the number of windows and compare it with the tables above. For standard vinyl double-hung windows, anything inside HomeGuide's $450 to $1,500 range is normal. Well above $1,500 per window for basic vinyl deserves an itemized breakdown. A price far below $300 usually means builder-grade units, insert installs without trim work, or a bait quote that grows later.
Get at least three written quotes for the same window spec, and confirm whether the price includes trim, disposal of old windows, permits and the manufacturer warranty. Different scopes, not different honesty, explain most price gaps.
Dot marks the reported average. This Old House reports an average only. Sources disagree because they sample different projects and scopes.
Window replacement cost calculator
Choose how many windows and which frame material to see an installed price range based on HomeGuide data.
Special windows are priced separately at $1,000 to $8,000 each installed, the span of HomeGuide's garden, bay, bow and egress ranges. The standard-window count above excludes them. A planning range, not a quote.
Last updated: October 2026